Triathlonbag

ABSTRACT

The triathlonbag is used for the rapid visual identification, and segregation of triathlon equipment. The bag comprises a water-resistant base ( 11 ) to which water-resistant front and rear shells ( 30 - 31 ) are connected with a waterproof closure device ( 10 ). Storage areas of meshed material are disposed on the interior ( 24 - 29 ) and exterior ( 1 - 3 ) surfaces of the shells, allowing segregation of wet and dry items and rapid visual identification of and access to the equipment. Triathlonbag may be transported either as a duffel bag or as a backpack.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0001] Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to sports bags, specifically to sports bags used in triathlons.

BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0004] Traditionally, athletes used sports bags simply to transport sports equipment and clothing; therefore, their utility lied in their ability to move the greatest amount of equipment with the least effort, and the bag was never an active part of the sport, playing a direct role in the athlete's performance. A triathlon is a timed, non-stop sequence of swimming, running, and cycling events, each having its own equipment. Inherent in a triathlon are two transitions, where the triathlete completes once event and begins another. Minimizing transition times is a goal of every triathlete; therefore, a sports bag that can transport, segregate, display, and accessibly-organize triathlon gear reduces transition time, thereby providing utility to every triathlete who uses such bag.

[0005] Several patents have issued for backpack-type devices, none of which claim interior storage features necessary to quickly segregate, identify, and retrieve sports equipment. Rohrbach, patent D.388,248 (1997); Sakelliou, patent D.420,792 (2000), Farris, U.S Pat. No. 5,676,293 (1997); McDermott, U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,447 (1998); Paul et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,881 (2000).

[0006] Some patents have issued for carrying cases with a variety of internal storage compartments, but the utility of such devises were to segregate and display tools or sample products. They are not backpacks, have no external storage that displays items clearly, and do not have the ability to segregate wet and dry items. Shaw, U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,404 (1995); Cirigliano, U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,337 (1997); and Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,780 (1998)

[0007] Other patents have issued for sport-specific bags, none of which were for triathlon equipment. Gerch, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,748 (1989) teaches a duffel bag with a racket pocket; Peng, U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,771 (1998) teaches a backpack for transporting in line skates; Fournier, WO 98/52439 (1998) teaches a duffel bag with interior mesh pockets for transporting and drying hockey equipment, but Fournier does not segregate wet and dry items, is not a backpack, and has no external storage.

Objects and Advantages

[0008] The subject invention may be transported as either a duffel bag or a backpack and has exterior and interior mesh storage areas to segregate wet and dry items. The various sizes of the meshed storage areas are designed to hold all types of triathlon gear ranging from a large full-body wet suit to small goggles and allow for rapid visual identification and removal of items. The subject invention, when fully opened, provides full display of the interior contents and is small enough to fit in the triathlete's designated transition area. The exterior of the invention has meshed storage areas to promote storage and drying of wet items.

SUMMARY

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a convertible duffel bag/backpack comprises a water-resistant shell with interior and exterior mesh storage areas.

DRAWINGS BRIEF DESCRIPTION Of DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front view of my invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a top view of my invention.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of my invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a rear view of my invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a side view of my invention.

[0015]FIG. 6 is an interior view of my invention in the fully-open position.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0016]1 Front exterior mesh bag

[0017]2 Front left exterior mesh pocket

[0018]3 Front right exterior mesh pocket

[0019]4 Front exterior mesh bag closure device

[0020]5 Removable shoulder strap

[0021]6 Loop

[0022]7 Front handle

[0023]8 Rear handle

[0024]9 Rear exterior mesh bag

[0025]10 Waterproof closure device

[0026]11 Base

[0027]12 Rear right padded strap male fastener

[0028]13 Rear left padded strap male fastener

[0029]14 Windowed pocket

[0030]15 Rear right padded strap

[0031]16 Rear left padded strap

[0032]17 Key holder

[0033]18 Covered pocket

[0034]19 Left padded strap connector

[0035]20 Right padded strap connector

[0036]21 Left padded amp female fastener

[0037]22 Right padded strap female fastener

[0038]23 Rear exterior mesh bag closure device

[0039]24 Rear interior mesh pocket

[0040]25 Rear interior mesh pouch

[0041]26 Rear interior mesh bag

[0042]27 Front interior mesh bag

[0043]28 Front interior mesh pouch

[0044]29 Front interior mesh pocket

[0045]30 Front shell

[0046]31 Rear shell

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Preferred Embodiment

[0048] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. The Triathlonbag has a rectangular base 11 of a flexible water resistant material, such as urethane. Communicating with said base 11 is a front shell 30 of a flexible water resistant material, such as nylon. Also communicating with said base 11 is a rear shell 31 of a flexible water resistant material, such as nylon. Said front shell 30 communicates with said rear shell 31 by a waterproof closure device 10, such as a zipper, to create a water resistant bag.

[0049] On the exterior of the front shell 30 opposite the base 11 arc a front handle 7 of a rigid water resistant material and a nylon loop 6. On the exterior of the front shell 30 opposite the rear shell 31 is a front exterior mesh bag 1 secured with a front exterior mesh bag closure device 4, such as a zipper. On the interior of said front exterior mesh bag 1 are a front left exterior mesh pocket 2 and a front right exterior mesh pocket 3.

[0050] On the exterior of the rear shell 31 opposite the base 11 are a rear handle 8 of a rigid water resistant material, a left padded strap connector 19, and a right padded strap connector 20. On the exterior of the rear shell 31 opposite the front shell 30 is a rear exterior mesh bag 9 secured with a rear exterior mesh bag closure device 23, such as a zipper. Communicating with the base 11 and exterior of the rear shell 31 are a left padded strap female fastener 21 and a right padded strap female fastener 22.

[0051] A key holder 17 is secured to one side of a rear left padded strap 16, and said rear left padded strap 16 communicates with the rear shell 31 by the left padded strap connector 19 and by mserung a rear left padded strap male fastener 13 into the left padded strap female fastener 21.

[0052] A covered pocket 18 of flexible material is secured on one side of a rear right padded strap 15, and said rear right padded strap 15 communicates with the real shell 31 by the right padded strap connector 20 and by inserting a rear right padded strap male fastener 12 into said right padded strap female fastener 22,

[0053] A windowed pocket 14 is secured to the exterior of the rear shell 31. A removable shoulder strap 5 may be secured to the front shell 30 and rear shell 31, if desired.

[0054] A front interior mesh bag 27 and a front interior mesh pocket 29, each with backings of a flexible water resistant material, such as urethane, are secured to the interior of the front shell 30. A front interior mesh pouch 28 is secured to the exterior of said front interior mesh bag 27.

[0055] A rear interior mesh bag 26 and a rear interior mesh pocket 24, each with backings of a flexible water resistant matenal, such as urethane, are secured to the intenor of the rear shell 31, A rear interior mesh pouch 25 is sewed to the exterior of said rear interior mesh bag 26.

[0056] Operation

[0057] The manner of using the Triathlonbag is similar to that for backpacks, duffel bags and shoulder bags; namely, to store and transport objects. However, in addition, the Triathlonbag may be used to segregate wet items from dry items by storing wet items in the front exterior mesh bag 1, the front left exterior mesh pocket 2, the front right exterior mesh pocket 3, and the rear exterior mesh bag 9, and storing dry items in the front interior mesh bag 27, front interior mesh pocket 29, front interior mesh pouch 28, rear interior mesh bag 26, rear interior mesh pocket 24, and rear interior mesh pouch 25. The water resistant materials comprising the front shell 30, the rear shell 31, the base 11, and the backing along with the waterproof closure device 10 keep the wet items segregated from the dry items.

[0058] Further, the Triathlonbag standing in the fully closed position as shown in FIG. 1, operates as a visual cue to the triathlete searching for his/her transition area. The Triathlonbag, lying in its fully open position as shown in FIG.6, fits within the typical triathlon transition area and operates as a ftill display of all items stored, non-commingled, in the front interior mesh bag 27, front interior mesh pocket 29, front interior mesh pouch 28, rear interior mesh bag 26, rear interior mesh pocket 24, and rear interior mesh pouch 25. 

I claim:
 1. A sports bag for segregating items transported thereby comprising: a) a rectangular base of a rigid water resistant material; b) a front shell and a rear shell, connected to respective opposite side edges of said base; wherein the front shell and rear shell are formed of a flexible water resistant material and, in the first configuration, the base, front shell and rear shell are co-planar and, in a second configuration, the front shell and rear shell extend upwardly from the base, and the edges of the front shell and the rear shell are joined via a waterproof closure device; c) a front exterior mesh bag disposed on the exterior surface of the front shell, the front exterior mesh bag comprising a moisture permeable and air permeable material; d) a rear exterior mesh bag disposed on the exterior surface of the rear shell, the rear exterior mesh bag comprising a moisture permeable and air permeable material; e) a front interior mesh bag disposed on the interior of the front shell, the front interior mesh bag comprising a moisture permeable and air permeable material and a backing of flexible water resistant material; f) a front interior mesh pocket disposed on the interior of the front shell, the front interior mesh pocket comprising a moisture permeable and air permeable material and a backing of flexible water resistant material; g) a rear interior mesh bag disposed on the interior of the rear shell, the rear interior mesh bag comprising a moisture permeable and air permeable material and a backing of flexible water resistant material; h) a rear interior mesh pocket disposed on the interior of the rear shell, the rear interior mesh pocket comprising a moisture permeable and air permeable material and a backing of flexible water resistant material; and, i) a carrying means.
 2. A sports bag according to claim 1, additionally comprising a closure device for the front exterior mesh bag.
 3. A sports bag according to claim 1, additionally comprising a plurality of mesh pockets on the interior of the front exterior mesh bag.
 4. A sports bag according to claim 1, additionally comprising a closure device for the rear exterior mesh bag.
 5. A sports bag according to claim 1, additionally comprising a front interior mesh pouch connected to the exterior of the front interior mesh bag.
 6. A sports bag according to claim 5, wherein the front interior mesh pouch comprises a moisture permeable and air permeable material.
 7. A sports bag according to claim 1, additionally comprising a rear interior mesh pouch connected to the exterior of the rear interior mesh bag.
 8. A sports bag according to claim 7, wherein the rear interior mesh pouch comprises a moisture permeable and air permeable material.
 9. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the carrying means comprises a front handle and a rear handle connected in parallel to the exterior of the front shell and rear shell opposite the base.
 10. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the carrying means is a removable shoulder strap.
 11. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the carrying means comprises a removable rear right padded strap and a removable left rear padded strap joined in parallel to the exterior of the rear shell perpendicular to the base.
 12. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the flexible water resistant material is nylon.
 13. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the flexible water resistant material is urethane.
 14. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof closure device is a zipper.
 15. A sports bag according to claim 1, further comprising a nylon loop on the exterior of the front shell.
 16. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the mesh bags are specifically sized to accommodate triathlon gear.
 17. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the mesh pockets are specifically designed to accommodate triathlon gear.
 18. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the mesh pouches are specifically designed to accommodate triathlon gear.
 19. A sports bag according to claim 1, wherein the moisture permeable and air permeable material is a nylon mesh.
 20. A sports bag according to claim 19, wherein the moisture permeable and air permeable material is an elastic nylon mesh. 